Skip to content

Rockets imports returning from World Junior

Calvin Thurkauf of Switzerland and Tomas Soustal of the Czech Republic will be back in Kelowna's line-up this weekend
69276kelownasousterk
Rockets forwards Calvin Thurkauf (left) and Tomas Soustal are returning to the Rockets this weekend from the World Junior Hockey Championships.

Tomas Soustal and Calvin Thurkauf will be rejoining the Kelowna Rockets this weekend.

Both players and their countries were eliminated from medal contention at the IIHF World Junior Championships yesterday.

Thurkauf and team Switzerland fell victim to team USA, losing their playoff round match-up 3-2.

Thurkauf was the captain of the Swiss team. He collected four points in four games (2G, 2A) in the tournament. He also missed one game of the tournament as he had to serve a one game suspension issued to him following the Swiss vs. Sweden game on December 27th.

Thurkauf entered the tournament as the WHL's player of the week after he scored eight goals and added two assists in his final four games before leaving to compete in the World Juniors.

Tomas Soustal and team Czech Republic were eliminated following their 5-3 loss to Dillon Dube and team Canada on Monday evening. Soustal scored in that game but the Canadian squad was overwhelming.

Soustal collected one goal in five games played in the tournament before his squad was sent home.

Both players are scheduled to return to Kelowna tomorrow and are expected to rejoin the club this weekend.

It is undetermined whether or not the duo will suit up in Rockets uniforms for Friday's game this during the Rockets home and home against divisional rivals the Kamloops Blazers, but both will be in the lineup on Saturday when the Rockets and Blazers face off at Prospera Place.

Kelowna's next home game is tomorrow evening when they host the Spokane Chiefs for the Rockets first game of 2017.